Costa Rica Plane Crash: Scarsdale Family Of 5 Among Dead

SCARSDALE, NY — Five members of a Scarsdale family were killed in a New Year’s Eve plane crash in Costa Rica. Bruce and Irene Steinberg of Scarsdale and their sons Matthew, William and Zachary were among the 12 people, including two Costa Rican crew members, who died in the crash.

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, offered her condolences to the family.

“I can’t imagine the overwhelming grief the Steinberg family is feeling today,” she said in a statement. “While I didn’t know the Steinbergs personally, they were Scarsdale residents.

“I know my community — I have lived in Scarsdale for decades — and I know that it is at times like this that we will pull together to help this family in any way possible,” Paulin said.

Scarsdale Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Hagerman said that the tragic loss of lives is difficult to process, especially the loss of an entire family.

In a statement to the community, he spoke of the family.

“Zachary graduated in 2016 and William in 2017; third son Matthew was at Fieldston. Irene Steinberg was actively involved in giving her time to the district,” Hagerman said, “chairing the high school’s College and Career Center. The Steinberg’s recent graduation dates and rich involvement in the district created a variety of connections which intensify the grief we feel.”

He said that school counselors will be available for any students who need support when school reopens Tuesday, Jan. 2. Resources will be added if the need arises.

Hagerman extended the offer of counseling to district alumni who are home for the holidays.

“If you are aware of someone who is struggling with grief, please alert a member of the counseling staff or the administrative team so that we may reach out,” he said.

“May we transform the sense of loss we feel as we welcome the new year into a deep gratitude for the life and love we enjoy every day,” Hagerman said.

The Nature Air charter plane left from Punta Islita Sunday afternoon and was bound for San Jose when it crashed in the woods of Guanacaste, according to the director of Costa Rica Civil Aviation.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Photo credit: Google Maps.